Indicating Agreement in NYT Crossword: Tips and Tricks
The New York Times crossword puzzle is one of the most popular and challenging puzzles out there. It is known for its clever clues, wordplay, and tricky entries that require a sharp mind and a decent vocabulary. One of the things that make the NYT crossword unique is its use of abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols to convey meaning or indicate agreement between words. In this article, we will explore some of the common ways to indicate agreement in the NYT crossword and give you tips on how to solve them.
1. Ampersand (&)
The ampersand symbol (&) is used to indicate agreement or a connection between two words or phrases. For example, “Rock & Roll” could be clued as “Music genre that originated in the 1950s,” or “Peas & Carrots” as “Popular side dish.” When you see an ampersand in the clue, look for two words or phrases that are commonly associated with each other. In many cases, one word will be abbreviated, and the other spelled out in full.
2. Slash (/)
Similar to the ampersand, the slash (/) is used to connect two words or phrases that have a close relationship or are similar in meaning. For example, “Salt/Pepper” could be clued as “Spice duo,” or “Boys/Girls” as “Genders.” In some cases, the slash may also suggest a choice or alternative, such as “Tale/Story” or “Dessert/Cake.”
3. Plus Sign (+)
The plus sign (+) is less common than the other two symbols, but it can still be used to indicate agreement or a combination of two things. For example, “Football + Baseball” could be clued as “Sports played on a diamond,” or “Tea + Scones” as “British tradition.” In some cases, the plus sign may also suggest a mathematical operation or a numerical value, such as “8+1” or “5+7.”
4. Abbreviations
In addition to symbols, the NYT crossword often uses abbreviations to indicate agreement or a connection between words. Some of the common abbreviations include “Co.” for “Company,” “Ltd.” for “Limited,” “Inc.” for “Incorporated,” and “Plc.” for “Public Limited Company.” These abbreviations are usually clued in a way that suggests a business or organizational name, such as “Apple, for one (Abbr.)” or “IBM or HP (Abbr.)”
5. Letter Pairs
Finally, the NYT crossword may use letter pairs to indicate agreement or a similarity between words. For example, “ah” could be clued as “Sigh of relief,” or “um” as “Stammering sound.” In some cases, the letter pairs may also suggest a specific sound or phoneme, such as “sh” or “ch.”
In conclusion, the NYT crossword puzzle is full of clever ways to indicate agreement or a connection between words. By learning these tips and tricks, you can become a better solver and enjoy the challenge of cracking the clues. Keep in mind that the key to solving any puzzle is to stay alert, be creative, and never give up. Happy puzzling!